Peuchele

I finally received some stuff from DealExtreme.com including a cheap Bluetooth Module which I will use to finish my remote scoreboard project.

But first, I made this small PCB to adapt the module to a breadboard for testing and programming. I found on the Internet someone that already did this, but I wanted to use the SPI programming interface too, then I needed to lay pins 14 to 21 let’s say vertically, to be able to plug it on the protoboard.

The module is really small 2.7 cm x 1.3 cm x 0.1 cm, take a look to this picture in relation to a R$1 coin (Brazilian Real).

The PCB design was made in Eagle CAD, I made a library that represents the Bluetooth adapter.

I have two versions of the adapter:

Version 1 (the one in the pictures) with a higher separation between the pins.

Version 2 improved to use less space for smaller breadboards (I didn’t produce this one).

BT Module Adapter PDF

With this adapter, I was able to test and update the firmware of the bluetooth module. By the way, if you are looking for information about how to upgrade the firmware, check out this excellent blog from Byron76.

To test, send commands and configure the module, you need to communicate with it via 3.3v serial interface (I used my Arduino Duemilanove), but if you just want to test the Bluetooth communication, you can simply interconnect TXD and RXD pins (pin # 1 and 2) and any character you send will be echoed. This fantastic page Elasticsheep.com gives detailed instructions on how to test the module.